San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-03-31

prefernent IN involved, VIC nave not
word 10 say for or against the Democratic
party. the Republican party or the third
party Prohibitloniats. No one OF them Ia
on trial In this canvass.
We mean 10 say, distinctly and emphati-
cally, that we accept the place ssigned TO
Il canvass by the wisdom OF our state
legislature. We understand that they de-
signedly ordered this election TO take place
at time when there would be no other cleo
ton, thus absolutely dlssosia,iug Il from all
candidacy for Office aud leaving II 10 the
people, as citizens, TO Determine Az they
deem best.
The contribution IL for all the people and
this is 10 be voted ON M n constitutional
amendment, and not M party question,
We desire to be explicit ON another points
This is not local option contest nor an CT
fort TO amend existing local option laws.
The local option clause Is already in the
constitution and the Legislature alone has
the power 10 amend existing statutes predi-
Gated upon that constitutional clause. and
is now engaged In this very work. This is
separate and distinct question. II IL
readily conceivable how man might from
connection oppose local option, !. e., Prohi'
bition 10 his city or county. and yet favor
constitutional State Prohibition, or rice U6T-
ga. Because of this distinction and from
other good reasons, we advise Prohibition
lists throughout the state not 10 stir up tho
embers of 6res kinded in local option con-
hlcts.
Let US not fire a shot backwards. Let
us reserve every cartridge for those who do
non align Themselves against as on tbs quite
distinct issue. Besides, the adoption OF this
amendment obviates the necessity OF ever
having another local option contest, and a
failure to pass it, which we do not fear,
leaves us where we are now with oil present
local privileges remaining TO Us unimpaired
What then is
TIE ISSUE INvoLvEDr
We say issue, because there is but one:
Shall the state of Texas by constitutional
prohibit the manufacture and
sale of ardent spirits nj beverage?
None but an anarchist will deny to dem
ocratic people the right to make, alter and
amend Their own constitution. The SOW
ereiguty is in the people. Tho Bill of rights
interpreted by the supreme court Is an all
sufficient aud the only possible guarantee
against the tyranny OF majority. BY that
final and crucial test must this proposed
be tried. Other recourse can
no people have hut revolution.
The one issue then is this: Are there
good and sufficient reasons why the people
of Texas, in their sovereign capacity, shall
prohibit in the state bounds the manufac-
ture and sale OF ardent spirits as beverage?
That is to say; will it add to the welfare
of the whole people of Texas to suppress the
liquor traffic for the purpose statedy WIZ
it enhance our materiat interests? Will it
give better tone to society? Will it tend
to the amelioutiOn of poverty, the p'even-
ton AID suppr, ssion of vice and crime! VIII
it add to the security of government 10y de-
yelopng better and more reliable citizens!
Viii it help towards securing the purity OF
elections, unbiased Legislation, righteous
government and Will 1t decrease
the enormous burdens imposed upon the
people in the outlay for the administration
of justice by the courts, and for police, Jails
and penitentiaries? In n word: Is it right?
To this solitary Issue do we urge all Pro-
hbitionis's of whatever party or religious
belief to hold this CANVASS with rigid, iron
hand. Whatever may be the merits or de-
merits of other questions they are irrelevant
to this canvass We say nothing about them
whatever. We are not called on for nm
opinion. The Legislature has not ordered
an eectioi with reference to them. They
have no part or lot in this controversy.
Their appearance in it, by whomsoever in
troiuced, il an unwarrantable intrusion.
We urge therefore upon all our friends to
stick rigidly to the text and beware of COM
plications and entangling alliances.
METHODS OF WORK.
Here too, the convention itself has spoken
authoritatively. The first and most prom
nent idea il organization. The general
of the canvass is entrusted 10
the State Central Committee. This COM
miltee Is composed of prominent aud useful
citizens without reference to race, party, or
religion, so carefully distributed over the
state that no large section il without repre-
sentation on it. IT, howe yer, any section
has been overlooked, or is unwiSely or inad-
equately represented, wise provision en-
ables us to make the necessary changes,
which we are ever ready to make on sutfici-
eut proof of their necessity. Any man Ill
the state can get n hearing before the con-
trail committee through tue member repre-
senting his section or by n communication
addressed directly to the corresponding Sec
rotary.
The next step in organization is the county
As early as possible every
county should be organized and put in COM
muuication with the central committee.
Some counties are already organized. But
rs others my be waiting suggestions from
us, we therefore advise that the Prohibition
lists of all counties not now organized meet
mt their county sites on Saturday the sec
ond day of April next. or as early thereafter
Ms possible, and perfect their county organ
zation.
While leaving the method Of organization
to tho wisdom of the several counties; we
suggest, where you have no better plan, the
following
/. Let the county committee consist of
one wisely selected man from each voting
precinct.
=. This man to he ex -ofico chairman of
the Prohibition club in his precinct. Which |
club it is his business to organize and to in
crease until the day of the election.
g. Let the county committee choose an |
executive committee of five resident in the |
county site or accessible to it TO which will |
he committed the management of the coun- |
y canvass.
4. Let this executive committee put itself
in immediate connection with the certra !
committee AMI keep Us coRtiaUGily posted |
On all matters.
This organizlt' on must precsis all lntelli- !
gent canvass OF the stale. The Importance !
IF it cannot be overcstimated. We must |
nave in every county me one clothed with |
he proper authority to whom we can adj |
dress communications aud through whom |
he work can be carried on.
That there b. no delay in this essential /
work we now call on all friends to the cause |
throughout the state 10 help ris,yoisly in 4
hi matter of organization. Especially do /
We urge every member of The State Central |
Committee to give his personal Alteration to /
his matter in all the counties represented /
b. him.
Aud now